Body
WHEREAS, Hunter Steinitz of Brighton Heights is a bright, intelligent 15 year old who will be starting her sophomore year as a Theater Major at Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12; and
WHEREAS, Hunter has Harlequin Ichthyosis, a genetic disease so rare only 10 people throughout the United States have it; and
WHEREAS, produced by a mutated gene, Heather's skin overproduces cells leaving it thick, dry and bright pink, her hairline recedes because the skin cells grow faster than her hair follicles, and, because of all of this, Hunter must constantly hydrate her skin with a moisturizing ointment; and
WHEREAS, Hunter is one of the first generation of Harlequin babies to survive past infancy; and
WHEREAS, Hunter has found her life's mission to teach others about the daily difficulties of living with Harlequin Ichthyosis; and
WHEREAS, Hunter was chosen by the National Geographic Channel to explain her disease on "Extraordinary Humans: Skin;" and
WHEREAS, Hunter's positive attitude and resilience was taught to her by her parents who said that her job is to educate people about the disease and to take each day one day at a time; and
WHEREAS, Hunter feels her skin is her ministry - telling people that everyone is different just as God intended us to be and teaches students about her disease every year at school;
Title
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh, does hereby commend Hunter Steinitz for her courage, strength and her intense drive to educate others about Harlequin Ichthyosis, and does hereby declare Tuesday, July 20, 2010, to be "Hunter Steinitz Day" in the City of Pittsburgh.